PMD: The Dawn of Life

Chapter 15: Shadows of Paranoia

I went home miffed and grumpy. I'm sure I already expressed this many times to myself, but the experience with Attract left a seriously bad taste in my mouth. Bad enough that I humiliated myself in front of Eden, Salamence and Axew with it, I also used vile magic to love strike their brains to slurry oblivion. Luckily Eden snapped out of it, but Salamence seemed to be a different story. I sorely hoped he would never visit Serene Village again.

"Maybe I should ask Eden how to forget moves when I see him tomorrow," I muttered, "Because I'm NOT using this again. Ever"

Leaving the Lush Forest district and arriving into the village square, I headed to the storage bin beside Kecleon's Market before bumping right into Ampharos.

"Ow!" I grunted as I fell to the ground, picking myself up quickly. The tall yellow Pokemon went wide-eyed with concern and confusion, "Ampharos… can you please watch where you're going next time?"

"Sorry Azri, you know how I am," Ampharos replied sheepishly, "They don't call me the Dashing Wanderer for nothing"

"Clumsy Wanderer, more like," I mumbled before adjusting the dungeon bag over my shoulder, "What've you been doing here anyways? As far as I know, you've just been bumbling around the general area"

"Indeed. That's my way of fulfilling my goal here," Ampharos smiled, "I came here to observe and check if the village is safe. That's all"

"You came to check if the village was safe?" I repeated, confused, "You think there's something dangerous around here?"

"Well, I can't exactly plant a seed of panic in your head with that info. It's mostly speculation anyways," Ampharos tapped my head lightly, "Anyways, how have your expeditions been going? Where's that Fennekin?"

"Eden went home. We had enough of expeditions for today," I replied flatly, "And to answer your question, they've been… going well enough. I explored new dungeons I've never seen before with Eden to help others. It's quite fulfilling"

"You sound disappointed"

"Do I?" I frowned, wondering if my emotions were so easy to read, "Well, we got a job today to help take down a rampaging Salamence in Lush Forest. It was a hopeless battle and the only way to win was with an Attract TM I got from a client yesterday"

"And you're embarrassed about using it?"

"Very much so," I bit my lip, "It made me feel like a shameless harlot. A slut"

"Yes… I'd imagine it would be painful for you. You aren't the kind of Pokemon to willingly use such a move," Ampharos nodded in agreement.

"Say Ampharos, do you know how to forget moves? I want this damn Attract off of me right now," I grumbled, "I was going to ask Eden tomorrow, but you seem to be more experienced in general"

"Sadly no, I don't," Ampharos shook his head in denial, "Moves are very difficult to forget in general. If they are naturally learned, it's a part of your very being. Your core as a species. If it was learned from a TM, that's knowledge directly downloaded into your brain. Not so easily erased, I'm afraid"

"Great. Just my luck"

"What's wrong with simply not using it?" Ampharos suggested, "I understand it was humiliating to use it today, but make the resolve to not use it again unless it's absolutely necessary. You wouldn't want to get rid of a weapon like that"

"You don't understand. To have my best friend and a giant dragon pining for me, saying senseless things to have my body to themselves… it's disgusting. I abhor it," I grit my teeth, "If Attract is a weapon like you say, then I never want to draw it again. Even in the more dire of emergencies. I'd rather die than use it again"

"Hm, you're quite adamant about that. I suppose it can't be helped. It's understandable though, given what you've been through" Ampharos shrugged nonchalantly and I sucked in a breath, a little miffed that he was taking this so carefreely, "I hope you find a way to forget it soon"

"Yeah… thanks for the encouragement"

"In any case, I'm glad I got to see one of you before I left," Ampharos said, shifting the topic, "After all, I'm the Dashing Wanderer and wander I must"

"And I assume you've gotten your piece about the village?"

"That too. But mostly the wandering part," Ampharos nodded with a playful smile, "To that end, I won't be able to mentor you and Eden about expeditions anymore. You'll be on your own"

"I think we got the hang of it already, but thanks for giving us the opportunity to begin with," I said formally, "We never got to thank you after we rescued you from Poliwrath River"

"Ah, it's no problem. I simply wanted to awaken the potential that sleeps in children like you," Ampharos's smile took on a warmer ting, "You two may be young, but you're clearly capable. Continue helping Pokemon and you may find a place in the Society soon"

"Progress is progress. I'm sure Eden would be happy to hear that," I shrugged, "Now shouldn't you be on your way?"

"Yes, yes, it's time I made my grand departure. Say goodbye to Eden for me, alright?" Ampharos nodded before stumbling towards the Cafe Connection, "Farewell Azri. May we see each other again!"

"The exit is the other way!" I cried and Ampharos shook his head in embarrassed confusion before going the right way, quickly disappearing into the shade of the Foreboding Forest ahead. I watched him leave with a melancholic look on my face. While I didn't mind that he had to leave, he still left mysteries in his wake that I only remembered now. Flashing back to our conversation atop the hill, I questioned Ampharos on who he really was before Carracosta interrupted us. What coincidental and irritating timing.

"Why did I just remember that now before he left…?" I grumbled to myself, frustrated, "I guess we'll find out if we see him again. For now, focus on what's in front of you, Azri"

I sorted out my inventory at the storage bin, deciding to take a look through the copy of Fateful Saviors Eden gave me at the sleepover. I didn't have a chance to read it last night since I was too tired from the expedition in the Cave of Training. I was still equally as exhausted from the Salamence battle, but I liked making my time productive. Glancing at the sky, it was still mid-afternoon thanks to school letting out early. Plenty of time for a nice read and afternoon nap.

"Inventory sorted. Time to go home," I thought to myself as I dropped a Foe-Stun Orb into the bin, letting the magical storage do its work. Closing my dungeon bag, I left the village square and headed home. Before I reached the door however, I saw a shadow pass by the window, "Huh. Nuzleaf must be home now. I should knock to be polite"

I raised my hand to knock on the wooden door before suddenly, I heard a muffled voice from inside the house. I froze as a sudden fear stabbed into my heart. Nobody else lived in the house besides me and Nuzleaf and he didn't seem like the person who would invite people over. Surely he wouldn't talk to himself, so where was the voice coming from?

"-found the location of the water. I'm going to scout it out now,"

I gasped audibly at the clearly feminine voice coming from inside Nuzleaf's house. Strangely, the voice sounded like it came from across the village, not inside the abode.

"... Be careful. The village's Pokemon patrol that sacred spot day and night. You wouldn't be able to get in easily," Nuzleaf responded flatly and the female voice laughed softly.

"You think something like that will stop me? You underestimate a sorceress of my calibur, Nuzleaf"

"Don't go off bragging now," Nuzleaf warned, "We have him on our side. Don't invoke his dang ire with your vanity"

"Heh, thanks for the warning. But he isn't listening in right now, so I'm free to think and say what I like," The feminine voice laughed, "Freedom is truly wonderful, isn't it?"

"Ironic, considering your position right now, but yes. Freedom is liberation," Nuzleaf replied and I felt my heart pounding out of my chest. This wasn't how Nuzleaf normally spoke. Yet despite my terror, I didn't dare raise my hand to knock. I had to find out more, "Like mother and son, you're unchained from reality. That let you wander wherever you'd like and unveil any secret you sought"

"You know me well," The voice said modestly, "And one of those secrets gave me a revelation. The truth of this world and the cycle that must be kept in check"

"Don't remind me. Some things are inevitable, even if the world must fall for it," Nuzleaf said dryly, "Anyways, that's enough idle chatter. You should get to your mission now"

"Right. The one obstacle to his petrification… it will be wiped away with my magic," The voice assured, "Be seeing you"

"Good luck," Nuzleaf said finally and the voice seemed to go away. My heart was ready to burst and I finally mustered the nerve to knock on the door. I was shaking and confused from what I heard. Who was Nuzleaf talking to? Who was the "him" he and the voice referred to? What is this petrification?

"Azri?" Nuzleaf opened the door, looking surprised, "You know you didn't need to knock, right? You have the keys"

"I… Nuzleaf," I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves, "We need to talk. Right now"

"O-okay? I was expecting a warmer welcome from you since I just returned home. What's ailing you?" The doll asked with concern as he locked the door behind him before sitting on a chair by the table. I took the chair opposite of his, trying to comprehend all that I heard, "You look troubled, Azri. Is something wrong?"

"Nuzleaf… fess up. Who were you talking to? What were you doing on these "expeditions"?" I demanded and Nuzleaf flinched, looking surprised for a brief moment, "I'm sorry for being nosy, but I overheard a conversation in here with someone else. Where are they?"

"Azri, it's rude to eavesdrop-"

"Don't shift the goal post. I've been bottling this up ever since you first left and now I can't take it anymore," I grit my teeth, "Just tell it to me straight, Nuzleaf. Please. What are you doing? Who are you? What is this petrification that woman talked about?"

"Azri…" Nuzleaf slumped before sighing, "I suppose there's no hiding from you, isn't there?"

"You never should've hid from me to begin with," I glared at Nuzleaf, "I trust you. I thought you did the same to me"

"I do trust you, Azri. It's just that you have so much on your mind, what with school, living as a Pokemon and of course, why you became one in the first place," Nuzleaf admitted, "I didn't want to burden you with my occupation. I'm sorry"

"Now is too late for sorry, Nuzleaf. I need to know, since you insist on acting so secretive," I said, my voice taking on a harder tone. Perhaps it was my frustration with Attract earlier today, but I was really set on figuring out Nuzleaf now. I couldn't dwell on it forever, "You're acting like you're doing shady business. That job to take down an outlaw was a lie, wasn't it?"

"Azri, stop. Now you're just throwing around accusations," Nuzleaf growled, slamming his hand onto the table and I froze. That was the first time I saw Nuzleaf even slightly irritated, "Calm down and let, me, explain"

I slumped in my chair as Nuzleaf began to talk.

"Let's clear this up right away: I'm not a veteran explorer like I said I was. I'm actually a researcher looking into a rare and fantastical phenomenon," Nuzleaf began, "The petrification"

"The one that woman mentioned?"

"Yes. She's an acquaintance of mine. A powerful mage in her own right," Nuzleaf nodded before continuing, "However, not many Pokemon believe in this occurrence, but I saw it firsthand. A Wailord in the seas nearby was recently turned to stone overnight"

"What? That's-"

"Unbelievable? You have every right to think so. But it's true," Nuzleaf said sadly, "My other subordinates from the sea confirmed it. Wailord has been turned to stone and who knows what the petrification will target next"

"So you're trying to figure out a way to cure the petrification?" I asked, "Is that what the mage woman said about "finding the location of the water"?"

"Yes. Our goal is to save the world from the plague of the petrification and I heard rumors of a sacred spring that can cure it," Nuzleaf nodded, "I sent her ahead to scout it and confirm if the rumors were true"

"You said the sacred spot was guarded day and night though. Wouldn't your accomplice be committing a crime by breaking in?"

"Ah yes, I'm afraid that's a sacrifice we have to make," Nuzleaf scratched the wooden table with his hands, "That spot, Revelation Mountain, doubles as a religious sect for a group that worships the creator of the earth: Groudon. They say the mountain is blessed and that an oracle lives inside. Therefore, no Pokemon outside of the sect is allowed inside"

"But you have to infiltrate it to keep the petrification at bay," I guessed and Nuzleaf nodded, "Okay, if that was all true, then who is "he"? What is the truth the mage woman mentioned? What's the inevitable cycle that'll make the world fall?"

"You really heard everything, did you…?" Nuzleaf winced and I glared at him again, sensing more secrets, ""He" is our boss that shouldn't be named. He was the one who first found out about the petrification and recruited us to investigate it"

"Why can't you say his name? Is he really so terrible that you can only refer to him as "he"?"

"Yes and no. Invoking his name brings bad omens due to the Pokemon he is. I don't want to go into it," Nuzleaf shook his head, "As for the others, I can't tell you. It's a dire truth told to us by the gods themselves and I swore not to speak of it to anyone. You can ask me a thousand times what it is and I won't answer"

"That's utter bull. You expect me to believe you?"

"I don't, which is why I tried to hide it for so long," Nuzleaf said with a somber look in his eyes, "I apologize that my behavior dirtied your image of me, but what I say really is true"

I said nothing, trying to ponder all this new information. So Nuzleaf was part of a team investigating a mysterious petrification curse going around. If his goals were noble however, why did I sense such a dark intention behind the conversation? Why was it when I eavesdropped on them, my gut and heart were screaming for danger? Everything about this felt wrong, but I had nothing to counter back.

"Azri, for mine and your sake, please stop sticking your nose into my business. It doesn't have anything to do with you," Nuzleaf assured, "Focus on your own life. School, your friends and why you became human. Mixing more chaos into your brain is only going to turn it into mush"

He was right. With all the stress pulling and tugging at my head, I was getting a headache. Too much information was swirling around and too many doubts and questions were rising. Yet I couldn't muster the words and willpower to voice those concerns.

"Don't worry about what I'm doing. My team will handle it," Nuzleaf assured again, "This is why I didn't want to let you know about my business. It'll make you paranoid and scared"

"I'm… I'm not-"

"No, don't deny. It's written all over your dang face," Nuzleaf shook his head before getting out of his chair, "Go to your room and rest. I'm going to buy groceries for dinner from Kecleon's Market"

Resigning myself to my uncomfortable fate, I listlessly got off the chair and headed to my room as Nuzleaf left the house. Only later did I realize that he still spoke the same way as he did to the sorceress, but too much doubt swirled in my head at the time. It felt like I was assembling a machine, but nobody gave me instructions or the blueprint to it. I just felt so… lost.

"I just… can't think right now. My head is so frazzled," I mumbled as I lied down on my bed, bringing my hands up to my head, "The petrification, Nuzleaf being a secret agent, freedom being liberation, mother and son, unchained from reality…"

Suddenly my slowly dropping eyes snapped wide awake. The sorceress Nuzleaf was talking to… it sounded a lot like Eden's mom: Lana. From what I heard, she definitely shared the lust for freedom and adventure like Eden did. She was a part of the team investigating the petrification too? Is that why she had to leave her son behind?

"N-no unngh… this is just…" I groaned, clutching my head even more. This influx of information was starting to overwhelm my head. I needed to relax and try to sort things out later when I wasn't both physically and mentally exhausted, "... too much. Reading should distract me"

Opening my dungeon bag beside me, I pulled out the leatherbound volume and began at the prologue. Thus began my immersive journey into the story of a man far too similar to me…

…

Eden's POV

After Azri hurried off home in frustration, I silently walked back to the village after resting off my exhaustion. Casting both wands against Salamence took a lot of energy out of me and I needed to eat two Apples to stave it off. I didn't get why Azri was so against Attract though. I mean, doesn't everyone like attention? And she lovestruck Salamence so hard that he pledged eternal loyalty to her. Who wouldn't want that?

"I guess I can't understand girls like her," I muttered to myself, "If I was her though, I'd take up Salamence's offer immediately. Having a big awesome dragon like that on our side would be amazing…"

"Snap out of your lovely stupor, you idiot!" I heard Azri's voice snap in my head, "Think about it! That Salamence wanted to… to… MATE with your best friend! Would you want that in her position?"

"I guess it would be uncomfortable, but the trade off would be worth it…"

"Ugh, you're such a dunce. Maybe think past Azri's sparkling, radiant body and look at it with your usual head. You saw how angry she was after the battle"

I winced at my own thought. It wasn't wrong. Azri's body after using Attract was well… insanely attractive. I wanted to run up to her right then and there and plant my lips right on hers. If it wasn't for Salamence nearby, I was afraid I'd lose myself to my feral instincts and do the unthinkable. It was THAT captivating and I was surprised Salamence didn't succumb to it.

"You shouldn't have let her use it. There could've been another way to beat Salamence. You could've conjured well… anything. You had the upper hand with wands and seeds," Azri's voice whispered in my head, "You didn't need to subject her to the pain and humiliation of that move. Now she probably hates you for fawning over her appearance"

"Okay now that's stretching it. She won't hate me for a lone incident like this," I countered, although the comment about Attract being avoidable still stung. I did warn her beforehand about the bewitching magic of Attract, but that didn't make me feel less guilty about having her use it.

"Who is she, Eden? Your new girlfriend?" A voice broke me out of my thoughts and I blinked to see Pancham and Shelmet in front of me. I was in the village square now, "Is she Azri?"

"W-what?! Definitely not! She's not my girlfriend!"

"Oh ho, I heard that stutter! Eden's in love with Azri!" Shelmet howled with laughter, "I mean, I guess that's obvious since you're near her all the time"

"Can you pipe down with that, Shelmet?! I'm not in love with Azri and I'm not her boyfriend! She's just… my best friend," I hissed, "What do you two want with me anyways?"

"Want with you? You're the one who nearly walked into us in your daydreaming. We don't have anything to talk with you," Pancham crossed his arms and I sighed, discontent. I always got irritated talking with these two blockheads, "But since we're already talking… how's your summer vacation so far?"

"Casual talk from you. That's surprising," I pursed my lips, "But it was fine so far. It's only the first day after all. Headed to Lush Forest to… hang around"

"With Azri, I bet. Alone," Shelmet got a shifty look in his eyes and I shot him a dark glare like Azri once did to me.

"Cool, cool. Me and Shelmet are looking into this awesome rumor I heard around the village," Pancham got an excited look in his eyes, "The one about the school at night!"

"Huh? What about the school at night?" I repeated, confused.

"They say that during summer break, ghosts appear in the empty classroom at night!" Shelmet exclaimed and I gasped in both surprise and fear. I hated ghosts and I had nightmares of them when my mom read me a horror story once. The formless, invisible spirits that I couldn't see and attack. The ones that could manipulate anything around them while I laid helpless in the darkness. It left me quivering and quaking, "Huh? Are you shaking, Eden?"

"Oh my god, Eden's afraid of ghosts too! What a scaredy cat!" Now it was Pancham's turn to howl in laughter, "Come on, man! It's just a rumor! What's there to be afraid of?"

"Oh, like you can say anything, Mr Dark type!" I shot back, my body still shivering from the thought of ghosts, "I have an elemental reason to be scared of ghosts. I bet my mom was too!"

"Sure, sure, whatever. I'm sure your mommy could vaporize the ghosts if she was still here," Pancham cackled, "But she isn't, so you're gonna have to man up!"

"Yeah! Go to the school at night if you want to face your fears. Otherwise, you're a coward!" Shelmet joined along, "Then again, you always were, so I guess you'll be crying for your mommy again!"

"Shut up, both of you! Don't bring her into this!" I growled, but Pancham and Shelmet were still laughing their butts off, "Ugh, you both are insufferable!"

"We can't help it when you're such a chicken!" Pancham grinned as the duo's laughter died down, "Anyways, if you do go, I'll tell you what to look out for"

"... Go on," I said, only to sate my curiosity.

"They say a voice comes from the classroom, wailing "It's so hot…"," Pancham began, "The chant continues until you turn around and then you see these blue flames-"

"And then… BOO!" Shelmet screeched and I yelped in surprise, tumbling onto my back. Both Pancham and Shelmet began laughing at my expense again.

"Yeah, that happens. Have fun with the ghosts if you get over there tonight," Pancham grinned as I pulled myself off the ground with a groan, "But I doubt you will, wimp. So say hello to the ghosts if they show up at your house!"

"Mmgh… stop trying to scare me like that, you-"

"Hey Pancham, I think we've talked enough about this. Deerling and Goomy are waiting for us by the village's edge, you know"

"Oh yeah! Sorry to dip so soon, Eden," Pancham remarked sarcastically as the duo brushed past me, "But we gotta go. See you!"

As the two Pokemon left, I sighed to myself, trying to steady my heart. I knew nothing came good out of talking with those two. Ghosts in the village… what a great way to send off the day.

"Arceus knows Pancham's gonna drag us into some scheme to find the ghosts. I just know it"

...

Azri's POV

I dozed off not long later with the open book still clutched in my hands. Reading through the tale, I was happy to know someone shared the same questions I had when I came here. The protagonist of the story: Alfrin decided to go with the flow of his world and let fate guide him on his way, which was what I was doing right now, so at least I wasn't doing anything wrong per se. I just needed to wait for my purpose to find me. It was healthy reassurance among the storm of questions and doubt.

"Night time already? I guess this was a bad time to take a nap," I muttered to myself as I pushed myself off the bed, closing my book and setting it down on the floor, "Now I'm gonna have trouble sleeping until morning…"

Gazing outside the window, I reveled in the calming moonlight blazing through the sky. The natural beauty helped ease my troubles and wash over my stress. In that moonlight however, I saw a strange blue light almost like fire coming from the school. That wasn't natural.

"I need to check this out. But it looks so late at night, Nuzleaf wouldn't like to see me leaving…" I glanced at my door, which was closed now. I turned back to my window, which was just big enough to squeeze through. Looks like that was my escape measure, "Either someone is cooking or something else entirely is happening. I never saw blue flames before…"

I grabbed the sills of the window and pushed myself up, squeezing my lithe snake body through the small gap and wiggled my way out of the house. Carefully sneaking my way around the village, wary of any Pokemon around, I made my way towards the empty school. I wasn't able to make it past the gates before something made me freeze in my tracks in fear.

"... So hot…"

"H-huh? What was-"

"It's so hot…" The voice said again. I couldn't discern where it came from, but all around me, a purple haze began to gather and the temperature rose uncomfortably high. I felt like I was smoldering already, "So hot… gaze upon the death of your peer…"

"The death of my-" My words failed as I saw Watchog walking around the empty classroom, minding his own business. He seemed oblivious to my presence, as well as the dark fog. I wanted to yell at him to watch out, but my mouth was useless. The haze encroached around the classroom and Watchog flinched, sniffing the air.

"So hot…" The voice repeated again and Watchog gasped, looking around frantically, "It's so hot… so hot… Watchog…"

"W-what do you-"

"Watchog, we will… find our vengeance… Watchog…" The haze creeped up behind Watchog, manifesting into a giant form that cast a massive shadow over the classroom. The vice principal quivered in fear, not daring to look behind him as the shadow grew spiked wings. It looked like death itself, "gAZe uPon yOUR DooM, WatCHoG! GAZE!"

"GYAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

Our team:

- Azri, Snivy: Revelation Swordswoman

Level 17

Abilities: Overgrow and Contrary

Moves: Leaf Blade, Vine Whip, Twister and Attract

- Eden, Fennekin: Loving Magus

Level 16

Abilities: Blaze and Magician

Moves: Flame Burst, Psywave, Psybeam and Ember